Dell Inspiron 3737 started beep one time in sequences: one beep->3 sec pause->one beep.
This was really quiet beeps. That means the bios is corrupted. You have to try flash bios.
Recovery BIOS Rescue procedure Insyde Dell Inspiron
Bios recovery filename: VBW00X64.f?
I have no idea what mean question mark at the end. Probably it is for bios version but I found the name VBW00X64.fd in decompiled files with PhoenixTool:
31E147A6-D39A-4147-9DA3-BEFD4D523243_2350.ROM
and
BIOS\BIOS2347.BIOS
You have to download Inspiron_3737_A09.exe, run on any working computer. Wait for error and do not close! Go to temp directory and find isflash (isflash.bin, isflash08.bin, isflashX.bin)
- Copy renamed isflash.bin as VBW00X64.fd, VBW00X64.f and VBW00X64.f09 and VBW00X64.f9, VBW00X64.fA09 to pendrive formatted as FAT32 (uefi can read fat32 for older laptops should use FAT). Just try all names with bios versions or something.
- Unplug battery and AC power adapter
- Plug prepared pendrive to USB
- Hold END button (for other laptops could be Win+B or Fn+F2, Fn+R then Power button)
- When holding END plug AC power, CPU FAN should start at 100% and power LED should blink. Screen should be black. Without pressing power button.
- Wait about 5-30minutes (you can remove HDD but it won’t be faster because it is probably is not searching on HDD), laptop start beeping with 1 second pause that mean is searching for bios (it hard to know is searching or flashing these beeps are sound the same)
- After next 5 minutes laptop will beep with 2 seconds pause it means bios is flashing
- Wait for restart (sometimes it just shutdown but then wait few minutes to turn On again)
If something goes wrong you can repeat the procedure or flash with hardware programmer. Rescue flashing from usb restored my correct Service Tag after flashing dumped bios with programmer (with instruction below.)
There is something weird, A09 has older ME.bin than A08.
Extracted package with bios recovery renamed files A09:http://www.mediafire.com/file/b2l8jmmcjq52dys/3737-recovery.zip
It is not image to program the chip directly!!! The RAW dump is below.
Source:https://www.bios-mods.com/bios-recovery/insyde-bios-recovery/
Bios dumps BIN Dell Inspiron 3737
This is dump from SPI 25 chip:
I will use hardware SPI 25 programmer: CH341 with SOIC 8 clip. You can flash 3737 bios chip in circuit. Bios chip is Winbond W25Q64BV 8MByte/64MBit or similar.
You have to disassembly motherboard and remove the cmos battery.
For Motherboard LA-9984P. Bios versions A04 and updated to A09. Service tag is: 8PFKPX1 (in hex: 38 50 46 4b 50 58 31 ) You should change it to correct one in HEX editor.
Download:http://www.mediafire.com/file/s2vygpss47s25fq/dell-inspiron-3737-bios-dump-a04-a09-LA-9984P.zip
This BIOS fits for:
- Inspiron 17R (5737)
- Inspiron 17 (3737)
Tested with Discrete AMD Radeon Graphics.
It should work on these laptops:
PlatformName1=VBW00
PlatformName2= Inspiron 3537
PlatformName3= Inspiron 5537
PlatformName4= Vostro
PlatformName5= Inspiron 3737
PlatformName6= Inspiron 5737
Dell Inspiron 5737 / 3537 / 3737 / 5537 Bios Collection
- A01 5537A01
- A02 3737A02
- A03 3737A03
- A
04 2521A04 - A05 5737A05
- A06 5737A06
- A07 3737A07
- A08 3737A08
- A09 3737A09
I can’t find A04, there is only raw dump of this version below. I have flashed from A01 to A09 on 3737 successfully. Only A08 and older has correct Me.bin (management engine image) for 3737.
https://tosiek.pl/dell-insprion-3737-fix-one-beep-and-black-screen/
Dell Inspiron Laptops beep codes
Beep Codes | Possible Problem |
One | Possible system board failure — BIOS ROM checksum failure |
Two | No RAM detected NOTE: If you installed or replaced the memory module, ensure that the memory module is seated properly. |
Three | Possible system board failure — Chipset error |
Four | RAM read/write failure |
Five | Real-Time Clock failure, maybe cmos battery failure – just reset laptop and wait few minutes |
Six | Video card or video controller failure or vbios |
Seven | Processor failure NOTE: This beep code is supported for computers with Intel processor only. |
Eight | Display failure |
04.11.2019 at 11:05
Dzien dobre!
Thank you for the step by step guide. I did it on a Dell 3537 with the bios A12. I copied the bios file to the USB flash drive with the names above you suggested, plus I made new ones just in case: VBW00X64.f12, VBW00X64.fA12 because i tried with the A12 version. also I forgot to copy the me.bin but the update succeded without it. It’s impossible to hear the difference between the 1 second and 2 second beep as you wrote in the 6th point. I tought it’s not working because I forgot to copy the me.bin file. But the power button didn’t let me turn of so I leaved there for a bit. Then after some time it restarted and I got the 5 beep error (RTC clock error) I switched of and then on and it seems working.
Thank you bratanski from Hungary!
27.06.2023 at 23:45
I was real glad I found your page. My Dell 3737 also was bricked. But the beep when turning on was kinda unusual. One semi loud beep followed by a much much softer sort of echo beep, almost inaudible, and then a second of silence. I tried like a dozen ram sticks, none had effect so I’m sure one would’ve worked if it was faulty ram and I decided it had to be the bios.
I tried the A09 bios both from Dell and your recovery package, renamed it all as said, inserted the USB and held END while plugging AC in. The power led then flashed twice a second and no more beeps, none. Also the flash drive showed no indication of activity, only for a short detection in the start.
I also tried the A12 bios. No difference. So, I’m stuck.